Bill Text: HI HB1476 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Fire Protection.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-26 - Referred to HSG, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB1476 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HB1476-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1476
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that automatic fire sprinkler systems have a proven record of significantly reducing loss of life, injury, and property damage.  The legislature also finds that eight out of ten deaths caused by fire occur in the home.  Only the sprinkler head closest to a fire will activate and eighty-five per cent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.  Today's newer homes pose inherent fire hazards that not only affect occupants, but also fire fighters.  This is due to the following:

     (1)  Engineered lumber is now used as a composite joist or beam as part of today's modern, lightweight construction material.  Compared with traditional wood materials in older homes, lightweight construction assemblies collapse in six minutes versus eighteen minutes for wood;

     (2)  Modern furnishings burn quicker and hotter than traditional legacy furnishings.  These place not only occupants, but fire fighters in extreme peril when a fire occurs in a home without sprinklers; and

     (3)  Open plan designs contribute to rapid fire spread.  Higher ceiling heights and open plan designs with less compartmentalization provide larger volumes of oxygen to promote fire spread.

     California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia require residential sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings.  Approximately eighteen states do not require sprinklers, but allow local jurisdictions to require them.  Communities that have adopted a residential sprinkler requirement in new one- and two-family dwellings have not seen any decrease in the residential construction or the sale of new homes, and the economies of scale reduce costs.  However, residential fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings are rare in Hawaii.  One reason for the lack of residential fire sprinklers is the cost.  The legislature finds that an incentive is needed to encourage the installation of fire sprinklers in new homes.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide an incentive to owner-occupants to install an automatic fire sprinkler system in any new one- or two-family dwelling of a building that is used only for residential purposes by establishing a tax credit for a percentage of the actual cost of the system, including installation, materials, water and permitting fees, and any related charges.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 235, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§235-     Tax credit to promote the installation of fire sprinklers in residences.  (a)  Any qualifying taxpayer who owns and occupies a dwelling unit and files an individual income tax return for a taxable year may claim an income tax credit under this section against the Hawaii state individual net income tax.

     (b)  The tax credit may be claimed for an eligible automatic fire sprinkler system that is installed and placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year in any one- or two-family dwelling unit in a building that is used only for residential purposes.  For each automatic sprinkler system, the tax credit that may be claimed shall be no more than thirty per cent of the actual cost of the system, including installation, water and permitting fees, and any related charges; provided that:

     (1)  Only the owner-occupant of the dwelling or the purchaser installing the automatic sprinkler system in a new one- or two-family dwelling used only for residential purposes shall be entitled to a single tax credit;

     (2)  Only one credit may be claimed per tax map key number; and

     (3)  The amount of the credit taken shall not exceed $5,000.

     (c)  The basis of eligible property for depreciation or accelerated cost recovery system purposes for state income taxes shall be reduced by the amount of credit allowable and claimed.  No deduction shall be allowed for that portion of otherwise deductible qualified costs for which a credit is claimed under this section.

     (d)  If the tax credit claimed by the taxpayer under this section exceeds the amount of the income tax payments due from the taxpayer, the excess of credit over payments due shall be used as a credit against the taxpayer's income tax liability in subsequent years until exhausted.

     (e)  The director of taxation shall prepare forms that may be necessary to claim a credit under this section, may require proof of the claim for the tax credit, and may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out this section.

     (f)  All of the provisions relating to assessments and refunds under this chapter and under section 231-23(c)(1) shall apply to the tax credit under this section.

     (g)  Claims for the tax credit under this section, including any amended claims, shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the taxable year for which the credit may be claimed.

     (h)  If the State or a county requires an automatic fire sprinkler system to be installed, no claim for a tax credit for the automatic sprinkler shall be allowed for the dwelling for which an automatic fire sprinkler system is required."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall:

     (1)  Apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021; and

     (2)  Be repealed on December 31, 2030.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

 

 

Report Title:

State Fire Council Package; Fire Protection; Fire Sprinklers; Tax Credit

 

Description:

Establishes a tax credit of 30% of the actual cost, including installation, water and permitting fees, and related charges, of an automatic fire sprinkler system in any 1- or 2-family dwelling in a structure used only for residential purposes.  Sunsets 12/31/2030.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.